After decades of controversial and often contentious base closure processes, the United States is poised to bring its Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commissions to a close in 2023. The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, which authorized the last round of BRAC in 2005, set a five-year window for the process to complete.
A Brief History of BRAC
The BRAC process was established to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the US military by streamlining its infrastructure and realigning its resources. The first round of base closures took place in 1991, with the goal of reducing the US military’s footprint and savings of approximately $2.5 billion. Subsequent rounds in 1995, 1999, and 2005 targeted additional bases for closure and realignment.
Why BRAC was Necessary
The need for BRAC was driven by several factors, including:
* Rising costs: Maintaining unneeded or underutilized bases was becoming increasingly costly, diverting resources from more pressing military needs.
* Changes in military requirements: The end of the Cold War and the evolution of modern warfare meant that some bases were no longer necessary or were not designed to meet new mission requirements.
* Environmental concerns: Many bases were located near sensitive ecosystems or communities, making it necessary to prioritize environmental remediation and land reuse.
Last Hurrah: The Final Round of BRAC in 2023
The 2005 BRAC round resulted in the closure of approximately 100 bases, as well as the realignment of thousands of military personnel and resources. While no new bases have been authorized for closure since then, the Department of Defense has continued to refine its strategic planning and resource allocation. The upcoming 2023 BRAC round is seen as a final opportunity for the military to consolidate and optimize its infrastructure.
What’s on the Horizon
As the BRAC process comes to a close, the US military and its supporting industries will focus on the following areas:
* Sustainment: Ensuring the long-term viability of remaining bases through infrastructure modernization and capacity planning.
* Real property management: Managing the former base properties, which may be transferred to local governments, reused for other purposes, or repurposed for commercial or industrial uses.
* Workforce alignment: Adapting the military workforce to new roles and responsibilities, while addressing the impact of base closures on affected communities.
Conclusion
The end of the BRAC process in 2023 marks the culmination of a decades-long effort to optimize the US military’s infrastructure and operations. While the challenges and controversies surrounding base closures have been significant, the legacy of BRAC will continue to shape the US military’s approach to resource management and strategic planning for generations to come.
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